Zoos? Nope! Sanctuaries and Rescues? It Depends.

It's a platitude of another kind when humans advocate for conservation just so we can also say in the same breath that we're "saving" wild animals. To be clear, no animal in the wild would ever need saving if it weren't for the destruction of the planet by our species. Removing them from their natural habitat, forcing them to breed and training them by withholding food in some cases isn't saving them at all! It's destroying the very fabric of their experience on Earth. Rehabilitation and release by rescue groups of animals in the wild who were injured is great. The same goes for sanctuaries who don't breed the animals as this is absolutely what as stewards of the planet we should be doing. Everything becomes more murky if we add training to be an "animal ambassador" in a education program into the mix. Especially when we haven't first offered euthanasia as the ultimate release to a sentient being who may choose transition rather than face life in captivity. They have opinions about their lives just as we do - and they deserve to make choices.